The University Information Centre (UIC) launched the “Merit Scholarships – 2007” contest for the best students in Moldova organised under the aegis of the Council of Rectors, with the financial support of “Soros-Moldova” Foundation, “Moldova Agroindbank” and “Voxtel”. Director of UIC Angela Muset told a news conference on Tuesday, March 6 that this year 50 annual scholarships will be offered, including I degree – MDL 8 thousand, II degree – MDL 5 thousand, III degree – MDL 3 thousand. The participants must be students of the 2nd year (3 year cycle), 2nd – 4th (4 year cycle) and 4th – 5th (5 or 6 year cycle), who are studying in universities of Moldova. The participants should have a mean of marks not less than 9 – humanitarian studies, 8.5 – math, techniques, medicine, biology etc and 8 – in the case of disabled or/and orphan students. The interested students have to submit the applications until March 29, which will include curriculum vitae, an academic certificate, a recommendation letter, copies of materials which would confirm the participation in student conferences, and the list of scientific publications. The scientific publications are not a compulsory condition, but they will be regarded as an advantage when the application will be analysed. The application form can be received at UIC or at the universities. This year, all the candidates will be invited on March 31 at a written test – an essay, the topic of which will be known only when the test will begin. The results of the contest will be presented on May 11. The Awarding Ceremony will take place on May 22. The Merit Scholarships Programme was launched in 1996 at the initiative of Soros Foundation – Moldova in order to encourage the academic, scientific and extracurricular achievements of the Moldovan students. Starting 2001, the initiative is supported by “Moldova Agroindbank” and from 2004 – by Voxtel. Since 2003, the contest has been organised by UIC. During the 11 editions, over 2300 students applied, of which 785 were selected. 47 students from 10 higher education institution were awarded within last year’s edition of the contest. 5 students were offered the 1 degree scholarship worth MDL 700, 12 – II degree scholarship worth MDL 5000 and 30 – III degree scholarship of MDL 3000.